How would you feel if Axl continued with NuGNR under a different name and then did a reunion with the old band?

[Towelie]

Think about it.... if and when Axl does a reunion with the old band, there will be no going back. It's not as if Axl can do a reunion tour with Slash and Duff and then go back to Fortus and Tommy and expect people to buy both bands as Guns N Roses.

Hypothetical situation... Axl releases a statement announcing that he will be releasing CD2 under another band name (Stay of Execution perhaps?). This would be the best of both worlds for Axl. He could tour the album and as he wasn't touring under the GNR name it would allow him more freedom with the setlists, he could do stuff from CD2, CD1 and perhaps throw in the odd GNR crowd-pleaser like Velvet Revolver used to do. Then if a reunion does take place, there will only be one GNR in the marketplace and if it all goes tits up (which it's bound to at some stage), Axl can go back and tour with his other band.

Add to this, the songs written for CD2 are not original GNR. Taking off Finck/BH/Ron guitar parts and replacing them with Slash and Izzy will not make them any more legitimately GNR. Any material recorded already for CD2 should be released with the musicians who created them and if original GNR want to do a reunion album they should work only on songs they wrote together or singularly.

Thoughts?

Edited August 25, 2015 by Towelie

[Rovim]

Never gonna happen imo. Axl said he always viewed Chinese as a double. One album. The second half must be under the band name "Guns N' Roses".

Edited August 25, 2015 by Rovim

[The Black]

Well, with the name Guns N' Roses, Axl is sure to make money and pay his band members.

With a new name, he'd either have to settle with partnership (which will not end well), or have to keep this method of paying his band members the same. Generating less income however will lead him to paying his employees less, which means they will jump ship, as they are purely doing it for the money. Can't blame them at all though, it's a steady job.

[Towelie]

Never gonna happen imo. Axl said he always viewed Chinese as a double. One album. The second half must be under the band name "Guns N' Roses".

Why must it? It's caused nothing but roadblocks for Axl since day one. Releasing the second half under a different name would probably mean it'd be accepted far more on its own merits and would also clear up any ambiguity as to who Guns N Roses really is as a band.

[My Name is Trinity]

If he thinks CD2 is good, he should release it under his own name and then make the reunion happen.

He shouldn't tour anymore under the GNR name if the original guys aren't in the band. It's not good for Axl.

[Rovim]

Never gonna happen imo. Axl said he always viewed Chinese as a double. One album. The second half must be under the band name "Guns N' Roses".

Why must it? It's caused nothing but roadblocks for Axl since day one. Releasing the second half under a different name would probably mean it'd be accepted far more on its own merits and would also clear up any ambiguity as to who Guns N Roses really is as a band.

It's like releasing Use Your Illusion l as a Guns album, and years later releasing Use Your Illusion ll as an Axl Rose solo project. It doesn't make sense to me, but maybe I'm wrong.

Axl said that if he went solo, it would have probably been instrumental music and that the purpose with Chinese from day 1 was to create a "true Guns album". So songs written as Guns songs must be in an album with the band name "Guns N' Roses" on it.

And always viewed Chinese as a double. Just doesn't seem like he'll do that to me.

Edited August 25, 2015 by Rovim

[My Name is Trinity]

Axl's said a lot of bullshit.

[maynard]

If you think Axl will ever drop the GNR name, you're out of your mind. He wanted his own NIN, he got it, he made an awful record with it, he turned the name into a joke, took it to Casinos, bowling alleys and weddings, he fought very hard to do that to the GNR name, he won't let it go.

[Rovim]

If you think Axl will ever drop the GNR name, you're out of your mind. he fought very hard he won't let it go.

Edited August 25, 2015 by Rovim

[Towelie]

If you think Axl will ever drop the GNR name, you're out of your mind. He wanted his own NIN, he got it, he made an awful record with it, he turned the name into a joke, took it to Casinos, bowling alleys and weddings, he fought very hard to do that to the GNR name, he won't let it go.

Well if he does a reunion he will be forced to let it go.

[DieselDaisy]

Kiss chucked out Carnival of Souls after reuniting. It was released really to offset bootlegs and deliberately under promoted but it was released.

Edited August 25, 2015 by DieselDaisy

[SoulMonster]

I am only in favour of a reunion with old lineup if the intention is to release new music, and not just tour. So, I would like the idea if it resulted in new music both from the reunited GN'R and new music from whatever Axl would be doing as a side project. If Axl reunited just to tour, and then released GN'R music as a side project, then I would rather he didn't. I want GN'R to be a releasing band, and not just a complete nostalgia/cash grab act.

[DieselDaisy]

I am only in favour of a reunion with old lineup if the intention is to release new music, and not just tour. So, I would like the idea if it resulted in new music both from the reunited GN'R and new music from whatever Axl would be doing as a side project. If Axl reunited just to tour, and then released GN'R music as a side project, then I would rather he didn't. I want GN'R to be a releasing band, and not just a complete nostalgia/cash grab act.

You have to admit that that is what the new band now is? If I am watching a nostalgia cash grab then it makes far more sense for that nostalgia cash grab to be bona fide. Would a reunited band be any less prone on entering the studio then the new band? I do not see how it could be. The problem is Axl; regardless of line-ups he cannot bring himself to release new songs. But you never know? Having Izzy or Slash around might just be the inspiration he needs? You never know?

My point is, a reunion cannot be any worse than the situation with the new band. At an absolute minimum we get to see the proper Guns N' Roses playing the hits and empty our wallets at the merchandising stand.

[Tom-Ass]

I think it is a great idea and one that should have happened years ago. What Axl has done since 2000 is so far removed from what Guns N' Roses were. It truly was his solo band. If that makes him happy he should keep that as a creative outlet. They should all keep their currents projects.. Something to go back to for awhile so the pressure of Gn'R doesn't burn them out..

[SoulMonster]

I am only in favour of a reunion with old lineup if the intention is to release new music, and not just tour. So, I would like the idea if it resulted in new music both from the reunited GN'R and new music from whatever Axl would be doing as a side project. If Axl reunited just to tour, and then released GN'R music as a side project, then I would rather he didn't. I want GN'R to be a releasing band, and not just a complete nostalgia/cash grab act.

You have to admit that that is what the new band now is?

I don't know how long it takes after a record before a band becomes nothing but a nostalgia/cash grab act. But I know that the current lineup (whatever that is) is LESS like a nostalgia act/cash grab band, than a reunited AFD/UYI lineup who reunites to play songs that are 20-30 years old, because the current band atleast released new music 7 years ago that they have continued to play at every show since 2008.

[DieselDaisy]

I am only in favour of a reunion with old lineup if the intention is to release new music, and not just tour. So, I would like the idea if it resulted in new music both from the reunited GN'R and new music from whatever Axl would be doing as a side project. If Axl reunited just to tour, and then released GN'R music as a side project, then I would rather he didn't. I want GN'R to be a releasing band, and not just a complete nostalgia/cash grab act.

You have to admit that that is what the new band now is?

I don't know how long it takes after a record before a band becomes nothing but a nostalgia/cash grab act. But I know that the current lineup (whatever that is) is LESS like a nostalgia act/cash grab band, than a reunited AFD/UYI lineup who reunites to play songs that are 20-30 years old, because the current band atleast released new music 7 years ago that they have continued to play at every show since 2008.

You are assuming that a reunited line-up would inherently just cash grab? Most reunited bands have then recorded an album following an initial reunion tour. Van Halen reunited in 2007-2008 before recording A Different Kind Of Truth in 2012. Kiss did a huge 'reunion' tour in 1996-7 before recording Psycho Circus in 1998 (granted it was a con trick). Black Sabbath actually skipped an initial tour, reuniting to specifically record 13; a world tour followed in support of that album.

[SoulMonster]

I am only in favour of a reunion with old lineup if the intention is to release new music, and not just tour. So, I would like the idea if it resulted in new music both from the reunited GN'R and new music from whatever Axl would be doing as a side project. If Axl reunited just to tour, and then released GN'R music as a side project, then I would rather he didn't. I want GN'R to be a releasing band, and not just a complete nostalgia/cash grab act.

You have to admit that that is what the new band now is?

I don't know how long it takes after a record before a band becomes nothing but a nostalgia/cash grab act. But I know that the current lineup (whatever that is) is LESS like a nostalgia act/cash grab band, than a reunited AFD/UYI lineup who reunites to play songs that are 20-30 years old, because the current band atleast released new music 7 years ago that they have continued to play at every show since 2008.

You are assuming that a reunited line-up would inherently just cash grab? Most reunited bands have then recorded an album following an initial reunion tour.

I covered that scenario in my original post. I have now bolded and underscored the relevant section to make it easier for you.

[Towelie]

I don't see a band who wrote some of the most amazing rock music of all time playing those songs together for the first time in two decades as a cashgrab. A band of replacement musicians playing a setlist consisting of 80% songs written by other people is far more of a cashgrab.

[DieselDaisy]

I don't see a band who wrote some of the most amazing rock music of all time playing those songs together for the first time in two decades as a cashgrab. A band of replacement musicians playing a setlist consisting of 80% songs written by other people is far more of a cashgrab.

It is laden with nostalgia and pecuniary considerations tend to matter with reunions. That is why Plant has resisted a Zeppelin one; he feel it would lack integrity. But our current situation is the worst of all worlds. It is a nostalgia fest by fakes. It is only one rung up from a GN'R tribute act.

My own ideal would be for them to record an album first before touring like Deep Purple Mark 2 in 1984 (Perfect Strangers) or even 13 just recently with Sabbath. Hit the studio. Let Izzy write the lion's share of the songs. No messing around. No arsing around with overdubs as Axl is prone to do. No generic dick rockers a la Conspirators. Put out this little Stonesy album then hit the road. It wouldn't sell but neither would CD2 or a Slash album and it will be a niche product for us hardcore.

[maynard]

I don't see a band who wrote some of the most amazing rock music of all time playing those songs together for the first time in two decades as a cashgrab. A band of replacement musicians playing a setlist consisting of 80% songs written by other people is far more of a cashgrab.

Amen.

[Towelie]

I don't see a band who wrote some of the most amazing rock music of all time playing those songs together for the first time in two decades as a cashgrab. A band of replacement musicians playing a setlist consisting of 80% songs written by other people is far more of a cashgrab.

It is laden with nostalgia and pecuniary considerations tend to matter with reunions. That is why Plant has resisted a Zeppelin one; he feel it would lack integrity. But our current situation is the worst of all worlds. It is a nostalgia fest by fakes. It is only one rung up from a GN'R tribute act.

My own ideal would be for them to record an album first before touring like Deep Purple Mark 2 in 1984 (Perfect Strangers) or even 13 just recently with Sabbath. Hit the studio. Let Izzy write the lion's share of the songs. No messing around. No arsing around with overdubs as Axl is prone to do. No generic dick rockers a la Conspirators. Put out this little Stonesy album then hit the road. It wouldn't sell but neither would CD2 or a Slash album and it will be a niche product for us hardcore.

A reunion album first would definitely make a tour seem less cynical, but then it also feels wholly unrealistic to expect Axl and Slash to put their egos aside and make creative compromises for the sake of a new record.

[SoulMonster]

I don't see a band who wrote some of the most amazing rock music of all time playing those songs together for the first time in two decades as a cashgrab. A band of replacement musicians playing a setlist consisting of 80% songs written by other people is far more of a cashgrab.

It is laden with nostalgia and pecuniary considerations tend to matter with reunions. That is why Plant has resisted a Zeppelin one; he feel it would lack integrity. But our current situation is the worst of all worlds. It is a nostalgia fest by fakes. It is only one rung up from a GN'R tribute act.

My own ideal would be for them to record an album first before touring like Deep Purple Mark 2 in 1984 (Perfect Strangers) or even 13 just recently with Sabbath. Hit the studio. Let Izzy write the lion's share of the songs. No messing around. No arsing around with overdubs as Axl is prone to do. No generic dick rockers a la Conspirators. Put out this little Stonesy album then hit the road. It wouldn't sell but neither would CD2 or a Slash album and it will be a niche product for us hardcore.

A reunion album first would definitely make a tour seem less cynical, but then it also feels wholly unrealistic to expect Axl and Slash to put their egos aside and make creative compromises for the sake of a new record.

Which is why I would prefer to not have a reunion - I just don't see new music come out of it. People might say we won't get new music now, either, but I think the probability is MUCH higher of Axl sooner or later releasing the remaining songs from the CD sessions (which are already more or less finished), than of the AFD og UYI lineups being able to release a brand new record.

[DieselDaisy]

If not an album first then a two year 'reunion' tour followed quickly by an album a la Kiss. We all just speculating here - there are many ways to reunite - but my point is this and this is partially in reply to Soul. If your priority is new music, why is a reunion a bigger stumbling block to new music than the new band. This line-up of the new band has been around since 2009 and never really looked like they were producing new music. Axl has also not put any serious plans in place to release the Chinese outtakes. The simple fact of the matter is the old guys made Axl release four discs of original music in a five year period. The new guys inspired Axl to release one album in seventeen years (I'm taking 1998 as the beginning of nugnr)!! If they have not released stuff before during that long period, what makes you think they will do so now? Axl is obviously not as inspired as he once was. If there is going to be somebody who can reignite his passion for releasing new music than that person has to be either Stradlin or Slash - surely?

[Rustycage]

I'd be fine with it. That is how it should have always been. One man shouldn't be dictating a change of music direction unless it is solo.

[classicrawker]

If you think Axl will ever drop the GNR name, you're out of your mind. He wanted his own NIN, he got it, he made an awful record with it, he turned the name into a joke, took it to Casinos, bowling alleys and weddings, he fought very hard to do that to the GNR name, he won't let it go.

Well if he does a reunion he will be forced to let it go.

No he wouldn't. He owns the name.

Other bands have done reunions, off the top of my head, like the Beach Boys, Kiss, Status Quo, etc., and then some members continued touring afterwards under that band name with other musicians. So there would be nothing unique about GnR doing a one off reunion and then Axl continuing under that name with different musicians.

Edited August 25, 2015 by classicrawker